Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila faces the death penalty as he stands trial in absentia for his alleged involvement with the M23 rebel group.
The High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to rule on Friday, with the public prosecutor requesting the maximum sentence.
Kabila is accused of war crimes, treason, and participation in an insurrection. In addition, the civil party has demanded more than $24 billion in compensation for damages allegedly inflicted on the Congolese state.
Kabila, who denies any connection to the M23, left the country in 2023 and did not attend the initial hearings.
He returned to the DRC in May 2025, traveling to Goma in the east to meet local officials and present a 12-point plan aimed at restoring state authority and ending ongoing violence.
His return followed the Senate’s lifting of his parliamentary immunity, paving the way for legal proceedings.
The developments come amid heightened regional efforts to mediate the eastern DRC conflict. On 13 August, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual summit, co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Thirteen heads of state, including Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, attended.
Former Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi was appointed to the Panel of Facilitators tasked with guiding the peace process.
The summit formalized the merger of EAC-SADC and African Union structures into a unified mediation mechanism with a technical secretariat based in Addis Ababa. Framework documents were approved to coordinate inclusive mediation, enhance civilian protection, and complement the Washington 2025 Agreements and the Doha 2025 Declaration.
Tensions remain high in eastern DRC, where both the M23-affiliated Allied Forces of the Congo (AFC/M23) and the national army (FARDC) have publicly rejected UN reports implicating them. The M23 has called for an independent investigation while affirming its commitment to protecting civilians.
The combination of Kabila’s trial and regional diplomatic initiatives highlights the complexity of the DRC crisis, where security, political, and humanitarian stakes continue to challenge national and regional authorities.
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